Chicken feeder



Filed Jan. 13'. 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l H A 5 M y m m w W. T. m V M nl l mH, m M H QQ E l m WFM my N m w f Q u@ Q NW. .mw mi bil 4M; 5 0r H A l.\J. .N wm 6 mmm um nm E m BNI )iql l \`\l Nm. om, Il vm M. OW d mw II UE n@ Itlli om |l.l y I Q x Q w :u b Q Tm om. OW A b mv w \mv N. 'W 1 HNV QM .JW mm. mm. O x0 mm J QM. .|V. X ov. u mm Q H .N b W Jam 17, 1933.M. H. KEATING CHICKEN FEEDER Filed Jan. 13., 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOH MAURICE HMEATIN@ ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 17, 1933 UNITED ySTATESMAURICE 1I. KEATING, or MINNEAPOLIS,

MINNESOTA.

PATENT OFFICE MINNESOTA, ASSIGNOR TO H. D. HUDSON MANUFACTURINGCOMPANY',4 OF MINNEAPOLIS', MINNESOTA, A CORPORATION OF CHICKEN FEEDERApplication led January 13, 1930. Serial No. 420,509. p 1

Thisv invention relates to improvementsin poultry feeders or likedevices, and one ohr ject isto provide a very simplified constructioncomposedy of few parts, which can be yery 5 quickly and easilyassembled. Other obJects are: toV provide' meansy for forminga roof andwatershed to substantially prevent entry of water into the trough; toprovide a storage receptacle adapted to deliver into the v troughy andto have a portion of said receptacle form the roof and water shed forthe trough ;A to provide' feet for the, device by simply formingaflange. on each of two end walls; to provide av swinging cover for thestorage receptacle which cooperates with, the roofing elements of thetrough to form a peaked roofy and water shed to provide a handle bywhich ay balanced lifting of the entire device` can be `obtained whichhandle acts as a bracey for the walls of the storage receptacle, andalso acts asa partition to divide the receptacle into two chambers eachof which delivers into the trough; to provide a guard l-id for thetrough which, when in guard position, permits passage only of the headsof small fowl to feeding position, and which is adapted when in anotherposition to permit larger fowl to feed; to provide a latch means forsaid guard for holding it in one position, which means is releasable byspringing one of the walls of the receptacle; to provide a feedingtrough and storage receptacle for delivering feed thereto whichcomprises substantially only ve elements; and to provide a feederincluding a swinging top for the feed receptacle and including a troughinto which said receptacle delivers formed substantially of only sixelements.

The means for carrying out the above objects. are all features of theinvention, the features including all details of construction shown. A

Objects, features and advantages of the invention will be pointed out inthe description of the drawings forming a part ofV this ap-. plication,and in said drawings Figure l is a side elevation, certain parts beingbroken away and others being in sec'-V tion;

Figure 2 is a vertical transverse section substantially on line 2-2 ofFigure l;

Figure 3 is an end elevation;

Figure l is a detail section on line 1 -4 of Figure 3, illustratin@r thelatching means forthe guard lid; and

Figure 5 is a section illustrating the tongue and slot connectingfeature.

The device, with the exception of the lid, virtualy comprises only liveelements, to-wit: the end elements 1, the trough element 2 connectingthe end elements, and the elements 3 also connecting with the endelements l and forming with them a storage receptacley which deliversdownwardly into the trough. The elements 3 have portions l arranged toform a roof for, and substantially prevent entry of rain into, thetrough, and the angular arrangement of the portions 3 and 4 braces andstiffens the structure. A sixth element in the form of a swinging cover5 coop. crates with the portions 4 to form a peak for the roof,overlapping with portions 4 as shown. s

Each end element l is provided with a flange 0r flanges 6, which overlapand lie against the top surface of the portions 4. At the bend linethese elements are slotted as at 7 and receive the lock tongues 8 of thesaid portions 4, which tongues are bent at right angles to the elements4C, as best shown in Figure 3, to secure the parts together. The use ofthis sort of fastening device facilitates assembly as well as repair orreplacement, and is claimed in the present combination.

Each end piece (see Figure l) is also provided with a flange l0 bentinwardly -to form a foot. This is a feature of the invention, along withthe reinforcement (see Figure 2) on the vertical lower edges of theelements l,

which is formed by folding the metal upon itself as shown at 15. Eachend plate is also provided with a series of slots 17 receiving the locktongues 18 of the trough 2. These slots and tongues are arranged inthree pairs. The trough 2 is formed of a single sheet metal element bentas at 19 to form a peak and to provide bottoms slanting downwardly andoutwardly from this peak. The plate 2 is also bent upwardly at 20 at twopoints to provide outwardly, upwardly slanting sides for the trough. Theplate is further bent in two places, as indicated at 21, to provide ahorizontall arranged trough flange, a portion of which 1s bent uponitself at 22 for stiffening and smoothing purposes. This trough and itsmanner of connection to the side elements 1 is also a feature of theinvention. The peak portion 19 lies substantially below the centrallongitudinal axis of the storage receptacle so that feed is delivered bygravity into the trough. The walls 3 of the storage receptacle flaredownwardly, and this is a feature of the invention which substantiallyprevents any sticking of the food supply, in other words thisconstruction facilitates gravity feed. Each end-forming element 1 isprovided with two series of slots 25, which receive the tongues 26 ofcorresponding sides 3` and the tongues 8 and 26 cooperating withcorresponding slots, secure the elements 3 and their roof extensionportions 4 securely to the end plates. It will be understood that allthe elements including the tongues are formed by stamping and, ofcourse, the tongues normally lie in the plane of the surface of themetal and are only bent to the position shown after insertion throughthe corresponding slots. This is a very valuable feature of theinvention in this combination, because of the ease of assembly, whichresults in a great reduction in labor cost.

The roof and drain portions 4 are bent as at 30 to provide downwardlyextending flanges 31, each of which has a portion folded upon itself asat 32 to stiffer. and form a smooth edge by which the device can belifted without injury to the hands. The lower ends of the plate 3 arebent outwardly to form a substantially horizontal guard flange 32 turnedupon itself as at 33 for reinforcement and smoothing purposes.

Another feature of the invention is the swinging peak-forming cover 5which closes the top of the feed receptable and forms with the sides 4 apeaked roof and water shed. This cover includes a top piece 37 andopposite side pieces 38 which overlap and engage the outside faces ofthe elements 1. Pivots 41 have their axes aligned lengthwise of thetrough and swingingly connect the peak-forming cover. The end pieces areprovided with in-turned flanges 39 which the top 37 overlaps and whichare connected by suitable means 40 such as rivets to the top element.The flanges 39 overlap the flanges 6. Each end element 38 is reinforcedby pressing as at 45, 46 and 47 to form a kind of continuous beadadjacent the lower edge, the pivots 41 pass through the reinforced beadportion 46. This reinforcement largely prevents buckling of the sideswhich results in binding.

Another valuable feature of the invention is a plate-like handle whichconnects and braces the sides 3 and forms a partition to divide thestorage receptacle into two compartments, both of which lead directlydownwardly into the trough. This element performing the three functionsof handle, brace and partition, is arranged substantially at the centerof gravity of the device so that the device remains in balancedcondition when lifted. In an elongated device, like the present one, thebrace feature is valuable because it is well known that such elongatedreceptacles are easily deformed. The brace is indicated at 50 and hastongues 52 formed on each of opposite edges, which tongues cooperatewith slots 53 to bracingly lock the handle and partition to theside-forming elements 3. The element 50 is provided with a hand gripopening generally indicated at 51, the marginal metal of which is turnedas atk55 to smooth it. The metal of the plate 50 is also turned at itsupper edge as at 56 to form with the upper portion of the bead 55 ahandle grip. This is also a feature of the invention, that is theformation of a handle by two turned or beaded portions, which lie inclose proximity to one another. The lower end of the element 50 isspaced above the ypeaked portion 19 of the trough bottom and thehorizontal flanges 32 of the sides 3 form guards to keep the heads ofthe fowls from contacting the corners or edges of the brace plate 50.The flanges 32 cooperating with the slanting portions of the troughbottom form a kind of longitudinal extending throat which delivers intothe feed portion of the trough. This is a feature.

Another feature of the invention relates to a swingable guard lid,adapted when in one position to cover the trough, and having openingstherein of a size to permit assage only of the heads of small fowl.nother feature is the latch means for releasably securing the guard lidin trough-uncovering position to permit larger fowl to feed. Anotherfeature is a latch means which is releasable by springing a wall of thedevice, in this instance by springing one of the end walls 1.

The guard lid is generally indicated at and its construction per se is afeature of the invention. A series of openings 61 which are elongated ina direction transversely to the length of the lid and trough areprovided, and each opening has its marginal metal turned to provide astiffening and smoothing bead 62. The size of these openings is such asto permit passage only of the heads of small fowl when the device is inits lowermost position shown in the drawings. To provide hinge means theupper rear edge is turned as at 63 and then turned. upon itself as at 64to provide ak reinforced flange which projects beyond opposite ends, seeFigure l, to form pintles or trunnions 65 which pass loosely throughopenings 66 of the end plates l. The lower edge of each guard lid isturned as at 67 and re-bent as at 68 to smooth and reinforce. The lid isadapted to rest flatly upon the flange 22 of the trough side. It will benoted that this guard can be swung to position shown in dotted lines inFigure 2 to permit larger fowl to feed. A feature of this invention isthe means for releaslably lat-ching 'the guard in its upper position.This means includes a punched-in portion 70, forming a kind of buttonlying at the inner surface of either one or both end plates 1. l/Vithone of these buttons (see Figure 4) the edge 7l of the guard plate 60 isengageable merely by forcing this edge past the button. For convenience,and this is a feature of the invention, two buttons are provided foreach gaurd lid and the buttons may be released by merely springing theend wall l in a direction of the arrow A, see Figure 4, as the result ofwhich the lid falls by gravity to the full line position of the drawing.Pairs of these devices are provided because it is easier for theoperator to spring the sides by pushing both sides simultaneously inopposite direetion and applying the force at the. inside of the platesl.

As before stated, another feature is the construction of a device of theclass described which substantially comprises only two end elements, atrough-bottom-forming element connecting the end elements and a storagereceptacle including two spaced side elements, all of the elementshaving a tongue and slot connection.

The one piece side hopper and roof member forming element is a valuablefeature of the invention, the angular disposition of the parts acting asmeans for bracing the structure. Another valuable feature is the watershield for the hopper formed in a single piece with the hopper side.Another valuable feature is the swinging peak-forming lid acting withthe roof-forming portions of the hopper side-forming element-s toprovide a water drain and substantially prevent rain from entering thefeed trough. Another valuable feature is the handle performing thetriple function of handle, brace and partition. l

I claim as my invention:

l. A device of the class described comprising upright end elements, atrough the ends of which are formed by the end elements, and two metalelements connecting the end elements and defining with them a feedstorage receptacle which delivers into said trough, each metal elementbeing bent outwardly to provide a roof-forming portion overlying andextending outwardly beyond the trough in a manner to substantiallyprevent entry of rain into the trough, but spaced above the trough topermit lateral entry thereto to feeding position.

2. A device of the class described comprising metal end plates, a troughextending lengthwise between and connected to the plates and two metalelements connecting the end plates and defining with them a feed storagereceptacle which delivers into the trough, each element being bent toprovide a roof-forming portion extending laterally beyond the trough ina manner to substantially prevent entry of rain into the trough, butspaced above the trough to permit lateral entry thereto to feedingposition, the tops of the end plates being bent over upon theroofforming portions. Y

y3. A device of the class described having metal upright end plates, atrough arranged lengthwise between the end plates, two metaly elementscross-connecting the end plates and defining with them a feed storagerecepta-cle which delivers into the trough, and each cross-connectingelement having a portion bent outwardly to overhang and extend outwardlybeyond the trough to form a roof spaced upwardly from the trough, butarranged in a manner to substantially prevent entry of rain into thetrough but permit lateral entry to feeding position at the trough, theend elements having turned-over portions which overlap and lie upon thetop of the contiguous marginal portions of the roof-forming portions,the said roof-forming portions having extensions and the end pieceshaving slots arranged adjacent the bend line of the turned-over portionsand receiif'ing the extensions, said extensions being bent downwardly atthe outer side of the end pieces to secure the parts in operativerelation.

t. A device of the class described comprising upright end elements, avtrough the ends of which are formed by the end elements and two metalelements connecting the end elements and defining with them a feedstorage receptacle which delivers into the trough,

each metal element bent to provide a roofforming portion overlying and.extending outwardly beyond the trough in a manner tosubstantially/,prevent entry of rain into the trough but spaced abovethe trough to prevent lateral entry thereinto to feeding position, theouter edge of each roof-forming portion being angularly bent downwardlyand then folded inwardly and upwardly upon itself to form a stiffeningand reenforcing means and to provide a smooth edge by which the devicecan be lifted without injury to the hands.

5. A device of the class described comprising upright end elements, atrough the ends of which are formed by the end elements and two metalelements connecting the end elements and defining with them a feedstorage receptacle which delivers into the trough, each metal elementbent to provide a roofforrning portion overlying and extending outwardlybeyond the trough in a manner to substantially prevent entry of raininto the trough but spaced above the trough to prevent lateral entrythereinto to feeding position, and the lower edges of each hopperformingelement being angularly bent and then folded upon itself to provide astiffening and reenforcing means which will not injure the heads ofanimals feeding at the trough.

6. A device of the class described comprising upright end elements, atrough the ends of which are formed by the end elements and two metalelements connecting the end elements and defining with them a feedstorage receptacle which delivers into the trough, each metal elementbent outwardly at the top to provide a roof-forming portion overlyingand extending outwardly beyond the trough in a manner to substantiallyprevent entry of rain into the trough but spaced above the trough toprevent lateral entry thereinto to feeding position, and a verticalpartition element for the hopper arranged at the center of gravity ofthe device and having an opening through which the fingers can be passedfor lifting the device, as a whole.

7. A device of the class described comprising upright end elements, atrough the ends of which are formed by said end elements, and two metalplates connecting the end elements and defining with them a feed storagereceptacle which delivers into the trough, each plate being bentoutwardly to provide a roof-forming portion overlying and extend ingoutwardly beyond the trough in a manner to substantially prevent entryof rain, but spaced above the trough to permit lateral entry thereto tofeeding position, and a cover for the hopper overlappingly engaging theroof-forming portions and having ends which engage the outer sides ofthe end elements, the said covering being pivoted to be swung upwardly.

8. A device of the class described comprising upright end elements, atrough the ends of which are formed by said end elements, and two metalplates connecting the end elements and defining with them a feed storaereceptacle which delivers into the troug each plate being bent outwardlyto provide a roof-forming portion overlying and extending outwardlybeyond the trough in a manner to substantially prevent entry of rain butspaced above the trough to permit

